A loss in Afghanistan: But did Sangin 'fall' or was it strategic retreat?

Taliban fighters capture the strategic district of Sangin in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, after security forces pulled out, leaving the district center to the insurgents. Samantha Vadas reports.

Taliban fighters capture the strategic district of Sangin in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, after security forces pulled out, leaving the district center to the insurgents. Samantha Vadas reports.

“Russia will continue to establish itself as the dominant broker of peace in Afghanistan in order to gain leverage over the U.S. and NATO,” the same institute concluded in an update on Afghanistan last week.

Sangin is hallowed ground for some Camp Pendleton Marine veterans, after they bled to wrest it from the Taliban starting in 2010.

Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment took over there in 2010 as the American surge revved up in that country.

Some 50 U.S. Marines were mortally wounded in Sangin in part due to aggressive use of roadside bombs by the Taliban.

Half died with Camp Pendleton’s “Darkhorse” 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the first Marine unit to serve a full seven-month tour in Sangin during the surge.

More than 200 of the battalion were seriously injured, in what was thought to be the worst casualty rate to that time for a unit its size during the Afghan war.

The British also paid a heavy price in the years just before.

As some lamented in the British press recently, Sangin accounted for a third of that nation’s dead in Afghanistan at the time.

Others in the West, including academics, expressed dismay and raised the question of whether this war will ever conclude.

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Incident involved amphibious training at the sprawling North County base. (Courtesy of Fox 5 San Diego)

Incident involved amphibious training at the sprawling North County base. (Courtesy of Fox 5 San Diego)

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Incident involved amphibious training at the sprawling North County base. (Courtesy of Fox 5 San Diego)

Incident involved amphibious training at the sprawling North County base. (Courtesy of Fox 5 San Diego)

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The USS Somerset, New York and Arlington incorporate pieces of metal salvaged after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The USS Somerset, New York and Arlington incorporate pieces of metal salvaged after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

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The American military is going to fight the most powerful storm ever

The American military is going to fight the most powerful storm ever

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U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday current policy regarding transgender personnel serving in the military would remain in place until he advises President Donald Trump on how to implement his directive on a transgender ban. Alva French reports.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday current policy regarding transgender personnel serving in the military would remain in place until he advises President Donald Trump on how to implement his directive on a transgender ban. Alva French reports.